The Israel-Hamas War, which has created widespread panic and confusion since its start Oct. 7, spans a longer timeline of conflict than it seems on the surface.

From Hamas launching a surprise attack against Israel to the recent hate crimes against Muslim and Jewish people that have spiked in the U.S., many are left with questions unanswered.

What is Hamas?

Hamas is an Islamic military and political organization, and they are considered a terrorist group by the United States and the United Nations. Hamas took control over the Palestinian territory called the Gaza Strip, which is bordered by Egypt and Israel, in 2007 and has maintained control since then.

Hamas intercepts and diverts international support intended to help the Palestinians who live in the Gaza Strip, which builds onto the economic and humanitarian crises that occur there.

They launched a surprise attack against Israel, sending an estimated 2,200 rockets into on Oct. 7 — this is declared the worst terrorist attack Israel has faced, killing around 1,300 people and marking the beginning of the Israel-Hamas War.

How is the U.S. involved in the Israel-Hamas War?

President Joe Biden visited Israel a few days after the war began. He met with the the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss possible responses to Hamas’s attack on Israel.

After this meeting Biden returned home to the U.S. and issued an address to the country, remarking on the reasons why the U.S. needs to support Israel and the Palestinians through the terrorist actions of Hamas.

The White House is vying for a $14.3 billion support package for Israel to aid the destruction caused by the Hamas bombing, as well as a $9.15 billion humanitarian aid package for Gaza, which also includes aid for Ukraine.

Is there a way for Palestinians to escape the blockaded Gaza?

The short answer to this question is no — however, that does not mean a solution will not be found.

On its border, Egypt is the most clear choice for Palestinians escaping Hamas, but with their economic instability they are not yet ready to accept the flow of refugees.

Humanitarian efforts are being made by the U.N. as the war wages on, but successful results in evacuating Gaza are likely to take a while.

This war is unlimited in the knowns and unknowns, which makes it difficult to follow and even more difficult for countries to assist both the Israelis and Palestinians: what happens next will be determined as the events continue to unfold.